Uncertainty in Hypothetical 3D Reconstructions: Technical, Visual and Cultural ‘Transitions’

Abstract

Uncertainty assessment is fundamental when dealing with digital 3D reconstructions of hypothetical artefacts. In this framework, a range of uncertainty scales based on different classifications and visualisation techniques have been proposed through time without reaching a standard. Besides this, we argue that, even starting from a very simple uncertainty scale (which can also become more complex if needed) and assuming that it becomes widespread, a variety of challenges arise at different levels: at least a technical, a visual and a cultural one, which are here analysed describing the different kinds of 'transitions' that they can convey. At a technical level, the uncertainty scale can be applied to different levels of detail (allowing transitions between them), can be communicated through platforms (generating transitions of knowledge) and hopefully by means of (a transition to) standard exchange formats. At a visual level, a transition should be guaranteed between different uncertainty visualisation techniques, but also to infographics representing uncertainty data in more complex ways. At a cultural level, we should take into account that this transition of knowledge may occur in different domains and have different targets, in a balance between complexity and adaptation depending on the audience we refer to. We conclude with two goals for the future: the integration of the uncertainty documentation as a property in the CIDOC CRM ontology for cultural heritage and the visualisation of uncertainty directly on suitable online viewers.